Glengarry determined to go all the way to the trophy in shinty's Single Team Cup ahead of semi final test against Lochcarron
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Glengarry will have the chance to match last season's exploits in the Single Team Cup this weekend – but they will not rest until they have gone one better.
Runners up in the 2022 final to Col Glen, Glengarry can book their spot in a second successive final by overcoming Lochcarron on Saturday.
Manager Scott Bremner says memories of last season's final defeat still linger strongly in Glengarry's minds, but insists they have used that as motivation to make sure they lift the trophy this time around.
"We have to remember what the feeling was like and watching Col Glen celebrate," he recalled.
"It was a sore one, so if that doesn't motivate you to go and win the following year, nothing will.
"The boys have it in them to go and do that, so without question we will be all in as much as we physically can.
"The cup is hugely important to give the squad a boost for the season.
"If I could get my crystal ball out and say we've won silverware, it would be a great thing for our club. We are a small club, so it would be a fantastic achievement."
Archie Johnstone and Shaun Nicolson should be available for the semi, good timing given Lochcarron are flying high in North Two.
"It makes no difference to me what league they're in," Bremner added.
"They've only just gone down this year, and I'm pretty sure that was a wake up call for them. There's no question they're a very strong team, and with all due respect they won't enjoy playing shinty in that league.
"I don't look at it like they've dropped a division at all.
"There will have extra motivation to beat someone in a league above, so we've got to be in the right headspace.
"That's what it will come down to – if we play our own game at our pace, and focus, I won't be fazed.
"If we play our A game, we'll win, and that's all there is to it. If anybody thinks they can just walk on to that park and beat Lochcarron, they will soon get an awakening."
A handful of injury absences have derailed Glengarry's bid for promotion to the National Division.
However, Bremner has previously gone on the record about how big of a fan he is of the Single Team Cup – as it gives clubs like his a genuine chance of lifting silverware.
"We regrouped and had a great start to the season, but then we've been absolutely plagued with injuries," he said.
"I've never seen a year like it. We have missed five or six players for the last month or so.
"We did really well to get to where we got to in the league early on, but in the last few weeks we've played strong teams.
"We will find another gear on Saturday to push on to the final.
"A competition like this was well overdue. It's quite difficult to not be allowed to play in the Sutherland or Strathdearn against teams we're playing week in, week out.
"Then when you enter bigger competitions like the Camanachd or the MacTavish, we're just not at that level.
"This competition is just right for where we are, and I can't get it out of my head how disappointed we were to lose last year.
"Credit to Col Glen for pipping us at the end, that's what can happen on a final on any given day, and Col Glen have gone on to do well in the National Division.
"We'll have our game face on this Saturday, and we've got a couple of key players back which is good timing.
"We won't have absolutely everybody, but we will have a lot more than we've had in the last few weeks, and we'll be raring to go."
